Method and apparatus to retrieve data from power distribution units

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is a method and apparatus to retrieve data from a power distribution unit. Apparatus to retrieve data from a power distribution unit may include a processor, memory and display which may be coupled to tracking circuitry of the power distribution unit in order to allow viewing of current operating conditions of the power distribution unit. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor may be configured to convert data from the tracking circuitry of the power distribution unit into a stream of character sets presented on the display which may be interpreted by a mobile device and translated by the mobile device into human readable information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/209,157 filed Jul. 13, 2016. TheU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/209,157 filed Jul. 13, 2016 claimsthe benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/191,596 filed Jul. 13, 2015. The U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/209,157 filed Jul. 13, 2016 and the U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/191,596 filed Jul. 13, 2015 are incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of distributingelectrical power and maintaining the thermal environment in dataprocessing equipment, and more particularly to, a method and apparatusto retrieve data from power distribution units.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices, particularly computer and data storageequipment, are supplied power from an alternating current (AC) or directcurrent (DC) electrical power source. For computer and data storageequipment, various power systems and thermal cooling systems aretypically employed. A typical system may include a display to provideinformation on current operating conditions. However, often the displayis too small to quickly retrieve and analyze the data associated withthe operating conditions of a unit. Further, often it is not possiblefor a user to retrieve data from the power and thermal systems due tounsafe handling conditions (e.g., temperature conditions, lightingconditions, space constraints, and the like) of the power and thermalsystems.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a method andapparatus to retrieve data from a power distribution unit. The apparatusto retrieve data from a power distribution unit may include a processor,memory, and display which may be coupled to tracking circuitry withinthe power distribution unit in order to allow viewing of currentoperating conditions of the power distribution unit. In an embodiment ofthe disclosure, the processor may be configured to convert data from thetracking circuitry of the power distribution unit into a stream ofcharacter sets presented on the display which may be interpreted by amobile device and translated by the mobile device into human readableinformation.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not necessarily restrictive of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure.Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood bythose skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of a method for retrieving data from apower distribution unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an apparatus to retrieve data from apower distribution unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C depict an apparatus to retrieve data from a powerdistribution unit in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an apparatus to retrieve data from a powerdistribution unit contained within an exemplary power distribution unitin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary mobile device in proximity with an apparatusto retrieve data from a power distribution unit in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C depict an exemplary screenshot of an applicationconfigured to be executed with a camera device of a mobile device forinterpreting the individual character sets on the display of themonitoring device at a frequency not readable to a human eye;

FIG. 7 depicts a screenshot of an application that includes exemplaryoperating information of a power distribution unit in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a screenshot of an application of exemplary operatinginformation of a power distribution unit in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a screenshot of an application including a guide forreading data from a monitoring device and a loading indicator inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts an auxiliary device for containing an apparatus toretrieve data from a power distribution unit in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 depicts a system for managing a plurality of apparatuses thatretrieve data from power distribution units in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed,which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the embodiments may not be limited in applicationper the details of the structure or the function as set forth in thefollowing descriptions or illustrated in the figures. Differentembodiments may be capable of being practiced or carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regardedas limiting. The use of terms such as “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein are generally meant to encompassthe item listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additionalitems. Further, unless otherwise noted, technical terms may be usedaccording to conventional usage. It is further contemplated that likereference numbers may describe similar components and the equivalentsthereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flow diagram of a method 100 for retrieving datafrom a power distribution unit in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is shown. Method 100 may be executable by amonitoring device coupled to tracking circuitry of a power distributionunit for retrieving data from the power distribution unit. Method 100may include receiving data from the tracking circuitry of the powerdistribution unit, the data including operating information of the powerdistribution unit 110. Method 100 may include converting the data fromthe tracking circuitry into a stream of character sets 120. It iscontemplated that each character set may include at least one characterper character set. Method 100 may further include presenting the streamof character sets via a display of a monitoring device 130. It iscontemplated that the stream of character sets is presented on thedisplay as individual character sets at a frequency not readable to ahuman eye. For example, the character sets may be individually flashedat a frequency in which an individual character set is not readable to ahuman eye. For example, the stream of character sets may be flashed at afrequency of at least 1 Hertz.

Further it is contemplated that the stream of character sets may beflashed at a frequency that adapts to the environment of the powerdistribution unit.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an apparatus 200 to retrievedata from a power distribution unit in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure is shown. It is contemplated that apparatus 200to retrieve data from a power distribution unit may be a monitoringdevice configured to execute method 100 for retrieving data from a powerdistribution unit as depicted in FIG. 1. It is further contemplated thatapparatus 200 and monitoring device may be used interchangeably, unlessotherwise noted herein.

Apparatus 200 may include a processor 210. Apparatus 200 may furtherinclude a memory 220 and display 230. It is contemplated that processor210 may be configured to run various software applications or computercodes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such asmemory 220, and configured to execute various instructions oroperations. Apparatus 200 may further include a data input device 240.Data input device 240 may be configured to couple with trackingcircuitry of a power distribution unit whereby data including operatinginformation of the power distribution unit may be received and processedby processor 210. It is contemplated that data input device may beremovably connected with the tracking circuitry. For example, it iscontemplated that data input may include a connector to allow removableconnection with a cable or set of leads coupled with tracking circuitryof a power distribution unit. Apparatus 200 may further include aninterface 250. Interface 250 may include one or more ports for couplingwith other devices and may further include one or more buttons tocontrol operation of apparatus 200. Buttons may include a hard reset, anadjustment of dynamic or static display, adjustment of an orientation ofdisplay, and the like. It should be understood that display 230 mayinclude a touch screen which may further allow user to interface withapparatus 200. Additionally, it is contemplated that apparatus 200 mayfurther include a housing which may be configured to be contained withina power distribution unit.

It is contemplated that display 230 may be a light emitting diode (LED)display or a single LED indicator, or the display may be an illuminationLED. LED displays may be arranged in a singular or plural configuration.Any color may be utilized. LED displays may include common 7-segment,14-segment and dot-matrix LED display modules, or single or illuminationLEDs.

However, it is contemplated that various types of displays may beoperable. For example, essentially any visual interface may bemanipulated to transmit data at a frequency that is not readable to ahuman eye. There may be 1 to n number of displays to present simplybinary data. For example, 7 LEDs arranged in a row may provide 128unique combinations. Liquid crystal display (LCD) technology may rapidlydisplay compact QR codes for example, as well as displaying staticinformation. Liquid crystal displays may be arranged as an alphanumeric,graphical or dot matrix style. LCDs may be available as transmissive(with backlight), reflective (no backlight, relying on ambient light forreadability) and transreflective (a combination of transmissive andreflective technologies). Electroluminescent displays may be employed.Electroluminescent displays may be compact and may include unusualgeometries that may be obtained. Typically, electroluminescent displaysmay be used as LCD backlights, but wafer-thin electroluminescent displaypanels may be cut into unusual shapes to create an impressive customdisplay. Vacuum fluorescent displays may be employed. Vacuum fluorescentdisplays may emit a bright light with high contrast, in one or morecolors. Vacuum fluorescent displays may be manufactured to displayseven-segment numerals, multi-segment alpha-numeric characters or may bemade in a dot-matrix to display different alphanumeric characters andsymbols. There is little limit to the shape of the image that may bedisplayed for vacuum fluorescent displays; it may depend solely on theshape of phosphor on the anodes.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, an apparatus 200 to retrieve data froma power distribution unit in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure are shown. It is contemplated that interface 250 may includebuttons to control operation of apparatus 200 and may include variousports to allow communication with other devices. It is furthercontemplated that apparatus 200 may include a display 230. Display 230may be oriented in a generally horizontal direction or generallyvertical direction in order to suit the needs of various users.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an apparatus 200 to retrieve data from apower distribution unit contained within an exemplary power distributionunit (PDU) 410 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure is shown. Apparatus 200 may include a display 230 and mayinclude a housing which may be removably installed and replaced within apower distribution unit 410. It is contemplated that power distributionunit 410 may include a long, thin housing which may contain at least onereceptacle 415, or outlet plug, to distribute power to devices coupledto the receptacle or outlet plug. Power distribution unit 410 mayinclude an input power cable (not shown). Internal to the powerdistribution unit, a plurality of relays and/or circuit breakers may beincluded which may isolate other circuits or receptacles. Powerdistribution unit 410 may further include tracking circuitry which maytrack operating conditions of the power distribution unit 410, such asserial number, circuit configuration, outlet count, voltage, current andpower available at the various circuits of the power distribution unit410. For example, tracking circuitry may include one or more sensors andmeters to track Amperes, Volts, watts, VA, kWhr and may further trackenvironmental data such as temperature, humidity, and contact status.Tracking circuity may include one or more cables, coupled to one or moresensors or meters to transfer operating information data to data inputdevice 240 of apparatus 200.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary mobile device 500 in proximity with anapparatus 200 to retrieve data from a power distribution unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Aspreviously described, display 230 of apparatus 200 may be configured topresent a stream of character sets. The stream of character sets may bepresented on the display 230 as individual character sets at a frequencynot readable to a human eye. For example, the character sets may beindividually flashed at a frequency in which an individual character setis not readable to a human eye. For example the stream of character setsmay be flashed at a frequency of at least 1 Hertz. Advantageously,significantly more information may be presented from the limited spaceof a display 230 to be acquired from the power distribution unit in aquicker period of time than what can be provided by a conventionaldisplay.

Ambient light levels vary greatly between power distribution unitsrequiring a variable frequency range of the stream of character setspresented on the display 230 to accommodate the technologicalcapabilities of mobile devices anticipated in the future. It iscontemplated that the frequency in which the stream of character setsare presented on the display may vary depending on the ambient lightlevels of the power distribution units. For example, the frequency inwhich the stream of characters are presented on the display may beslowed down when the ambient light levels of the power distributionunits are high. By way of another example, the frequency in which thestream of characters are presented on the display may be slowed downwhen the ambient light levels of the power distribution units causereflections on the display 230 and impede the mobile device from readingthe stream of characters presented on the display.

Further, it is contemplated that a higher frequency range may bepossible with advances in mobile technology and display technology. Forexample, during testing, presenting the stream of character sets on thedisplay at a frequency of 30 Hertz (in a controlled environment) allowedan iPhone 7 to accurately capture the stream of character sets. By wayof another example, presenting the stream of character sets on thedisplay at a frequency of 22 Hertz (in a controlled environment) allowedan Android 7 to accurately capture the stream of character sets.Applicant notes that current modern mobile devices may be configured tocapture images up to 1000 fps (e.g., 500 Hertz) when utilizing slowmotion features. It is further contemplated that advances in display andcamera technology will continue to increase the frequency range that maybe employed.

As shown in FIG. 5, it is contemplated that a mobile device 500utilizing an integrated camera device operating an application may beconfigured to read the character sets which may be individually flashedat a frequency in which an individual character set is not readable to ahuman eye. Mobile device 500 may employ a camera feature through theapplication and may scan the output of the display 230 and convert thecharacter sets into human readable information presented on a display510 of the mobile device 500. It is contemplated that the application tointerpret the character sets from display may be a mobile deviceapplication, often referred as an app, executed by a processor of one ormore mobile computing devices (e.g., iPhones and Android devices,tablets and the like).

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, exemplary screenshots of anapplication configured to be executed with a camera device of a mobiledevice for interpreting the individual character sets on the display ofthe monitoring device at a frequency not readable to a human eye areshown. Referring specifically to FIG. 6A, screenshot 610 may include anicon to access a database 612 and an icon to begin a scan 614. It iscontemplated that application may include a database, local and/orcloud-server based, which may include information about prior readingsof power distribution units which can be used to compare with a currentreading. The collection of operating information includingidentification information into a local database may provide for simplecabinet to cabinet local data logging. Additionally, operatinginformation may be downloaded through an email or other transfer processfor manipulation by external source (e.g., Excel).

Upon initiation of the scan 614 of the screenshot 610 of FIG. 6A, ascreenshot 620 may be initiated as shown in FIG. 6B. Screenshot 620 mayinclude a capture icon 622 to begin capture of the character sets beingpresented on a display 230 of apparatus 200. Screenshot 620 may furtherinclude a camera display portion 624 which shows the image of what iscurrently being captured by a camera device of the mobile device 500. Itis contemplated that a user may hold the mobile device 500 whereby thedisplay 230 of apparatus 200 may be visible in the camera displayportion 624. After a user activates the capture icon 622, the mobiledevice may begin reading the character sets of display 230 of apparatus200. Upon activation of the capture icon 622, it is contemplated thatscreenshot 630 of FIG. 6C may be initiated. Screenshot 630 may includecamera display portion 624 and may also include a reading completionicon 632 which may indicate a percentage of completion of the reading.

Referring to FIG. 7, a screenshot 700 of an application that includesexemplary operating information of a power distribution unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It iscontemplated that the application executed by the processor of mobiledevice 500 may interpret the character sets and may produce theoperating information of a power distribution unit. The operatinginformation may include a time stamp, device identification, an IPaddress, along with voltage and current information. Screenshot 700 mayinclude an update database icon 710 and a scan again icon 712. Theupdate database icon 710 may initiate archival storage of the operatinginformation within a database. The scan again icon 712 may initiateanother scan and may initiate screenshot 620 of FIG. 6B to repeat theprocess to complete a scan. It is contemplated that screenshot 700 mayonly be initiated if the data capture has been validated by anintegrated error-checking algorithm. For example, the integratederror-checking algorithm may ensure that the application may onlydisplay data it has validated as correct and therefore prevent error andomissions from being stored in the database.

Referring to FIG. 8, a screenshot 800 of an application of exemplaryoperating information of a power distribution unit in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It iscontemplated that the application executed by the processor of mobiledevice 500 may interpret the character sets and may produce theoperating information of a power distribution unit. The operatinginformation may include a time stamp, device identification, an IPaddress, along with voltage, current, and thermal information. It isfurther contemplated that power consumption, electrical powerconsumption, and specific breaker information may be presented.Screenshot 800 may include a scan again icon 712. Screenshot 800 mayfurther include a send via email icon 810 which may initiate an emailmessage to be sent to a desired address which includes the operatinginformation that has just been read.

Referring to FIG. 9, a screenshot 900 of an application including aguide for reading data from the monitoring device and a loadingindicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure isshown. Screenshot 900 may include a camera display portion 624 whichshows the image of what is currently being captured by a camera deviceof the mobile device 500. Screenshot 900 may further include a cancelicon 910 which may terminate a scan. As shown in FIG. 9, it iscontemplated that camera display portion 624 may include a guide to aidthe user in reading the character sets of a display 230 of apparatus200. In one embodiment, guide may refer to two lines whereby thecharacter sets should be placed within the two lines. Other types ofguides may include a transparent but highlighted area to allow a user tomore easily capture the character sets of a display 230 of apparatus200. It is further contemplated that camera display portion 624 mayinclude on display control icons including an exposure adjustment and azoom adjustment to more quickly enhance data capture of a display 230for a user. It is also contemplated that the sliding dial may beemployed which depicts a percentage (0%-100%) of data successfullycaptured. This scale can decrease as well as increase if the captureaccuracy is poor to enable a user to adjust orientation of the mobiledevice 500, the exposure adjustment or zoom adjustment to increasescanning speed and accuracy.

Referring to FIG. 10, an auxiliary device 1000 for containing anapparatus 200 to retrieve data from a power distribution unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.Auxiliary device 1000 may be easily installed within a computer orserver rack and may allow apparatus 200 to be coupled with a powerdistribution unit. It is contemplated that auxiliary device 1000 may beemployed when a user desires use of apparatus 200 but the powerdistribution unit may not contain space for housing apparatus 200.

While it is contemplated that display 230 of apparatus 200 may beconfigured to present each character set including at least onecharacter, the stream of character sets presented on the display 230 asindividual character sets at a frequency may not be readable to a humaneye. However, it is contemplated that display 230 may further beconfigured to present data that is visible to the human eye. Display 230may further be configured to present individual character sets at afrequency may not be readable to a human eye. Additionally, display 230may present characters in two independent but concurrent streams, suchas a master and sub stream. The master stream refresh and persistencerates are such that they can be seen by the human eye, the sub streamrefresh and persistence rates may be presentation of individualcharacter sets at a frequency may not be readable to a human eye.

It is contemplated that a character of a character set may include asymbol, a letter, a numeral or a hexadecimal digit (include displayillumination). An example of a possible codec is to display ahexadecimal digit (0-9, A-F) such that each character pair wouldrepresent one byte of data. In one embodiment, character set may includefour hexadecimal digits whereby each individual character set mayprovide two bytes of data. Therefore, it is contemplated that an 80 bytedata stream, in the four hexadecimal digit example, may use 40individual character sets. A current advantage of using hexadecimaldigits is that current mobile device operating systems such as GoogleAndroid and Apple iOS have text recognition built into the baseoperating system so additional sophisticated computer vision programingor third party software would not be necessary to interpret the displayinto a data stream. However, other codecs may be possible using 7segments of each light emitting diode (LED) which may provide higherdata compression, although these may employ a more bespoke decodingapproach to process the camera image.

The frequency of the character sets may only be limited by thecapabilities of the image capturing hardware of mobile device 500. It iscontemplated that most standard mobile device hardware available at thistime may be able to capture character sets at a frequency of at least 1Hertz, in which a full data capture of 40-character sets may be achievedin less than 3 seconds. It is contemplated that many current mobiledevices may be able to achieve much higher frequencies with 40-charactersets being able to be captured in less than 1 second. As the performanceof mobile device cameras increases, the capture time may be reduced.

It is contemplated that an exemplary data set may include 80 bytes. Inan embodiment of the disclosure, the breakdown of the data set and theexemplary operating information may include:

-   Frame Sync-   Frame Definition (may provide a number of character sets in the data    set)-   Device Identification (may provide serial number and outlet count)-   IP Address-   Input Circuit (up to 3):    -   Voltage    -   Amps    -   Watts    -   Volt-Amperes    -   Energy: 5 bytes (integer kWHr)    -   Cyclic Redundancy Check data-   Cooling Circuit (up to 5):    -   Capacity    -   Thermal Setpoints    -   Operational Mode

It is contemplated that under the exemplary data distribution, the totaldata set may include 80 bytes of data if all 3 circuits are transmittedwith differing payloads depending on the type of power distributionemployed. If there is 1 byte per character, 4 simultaneously displayedcharacters may employ 20-character sets. Nyquist sampling theory mayrequire data capture at 2 times a display cycle speed. For example, a 15Hertz frequency may require a 30-fps camera device which is present inmost current mobile devices, resulting in a total capture time of lessthan two seconds.

In addition to device identification, it is contemplated that meta-tagsrelated to a power distribution unit may be enabled to be associatedwith different events, activities or operations such as: function,location, application, electrical supply and customer. Each powerdistribution unit may have multiple meta-tags assigned to it and as suchthey may be associated with multiple scanning and scheduled updates. Itis further contemplated that a secure scan mode may be enabled wherebymanagers may configure particular power distribution units that may bescanned by designated personnel only.

It is contemplated that the application executed on the mobile device500 may operate with a database, which may be an in-app database. Eachpower distribution unit may be identified via the asset tag number, orserial number and new data points may be logged and stored or newdevices may be added. It is contemplated that user-defined fields may beavailable. The application configuration may freely move through bothiOS and Android devices by means of an import/export database. Thisallows one user to setup a desired database and then clone it to anynumber of supported mobile devices. Additionally, the app may beconfigured to graph and export via comma-separated values (CSV) throughelectronic mail messages or to a cloud-based server.

Exemplary data collection for a power distribution unit may include:

-   -   1. Aggregation based on user fields (e.g., total kWh per row)    -   2. Set thresholds per identification device    -   3. Set global thresholds    -   4. Local alarms    -   5. Remote alarming (SMS/email)    -   6. Reminders    -   7. Work flow    -   8. Device positioning through GPS and other real time location        service technologies (RTLS)

While the foregoing description and figures have described a method andapparatus of visible light communication from apparatus 200 to a mobiledevice 500, it is contemplated that apparatus 200 may also be configuredto receive visible light communication. It is contemplated that fullduplex communication may be implemented with mobile device 500 whilemaintaining a zero-contact approach. Apparatus 200 may include a lightsensitive element, a light sensor, whereby the mobile device 500 may beconfigured to send data via visible light communication to apparatus200. It is contemplated that mobile device 500 may be configured forvisible light communication through its display, through a peripheralcomponent coupled to the mobile device 500, or through an integratedflash of the mobile device 500.

Referring to FIG. 11, a system 1100 for managing a plurality ofapparatuses 200A, 200B that retrieve data from a power distribution unitin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.Apparatuses 200A, 200B may be referred as monitoring devices and mayrefer to a plurality of devices as previously described as apparatus200. System 1100 may include a server device 1110 which may include acloud-based application 1120. The cloud-based application 1120implemented on the cloud-based server device 1110 may provide variousinterfaces facilitating the managing of a plurality of apparatuses 200A,200B and their respective power distribution units. Additionally,cloud-based application 1120 implemented on cloud-based server device1110 may provide an interface for cloud-based data storage via adatabase that may maintain operating information for each of a pluralityof systems as previously described which comprise the infrastructureequipment ecosystem for power and thermal systems.

Server device 1110 may be configured to communicate with mobile device500 via a cloud-based network 1130 (e.g., the internet) using thebuilt-in wireless capabilities of the mobile device 500. Once a secureconnection has been established and verified between the server device1110 and mobile device 500, the operating information for variouspurpose specific power distribution units via apparatuses 200A, 200B maybe transferred to a cloud-based database residing on a cloud-basedserver device 1110 (e.g., a web server accessible over a web-browser orapplication implemented on the mobile device 500). The cloud-basedserver device 1110 may implement at least one cloud-based application1120 accessible by a mobile device 500 and/or one or more additionalnetwork devices such as a laptop or desktop computer.

In an example embodiment, through the web-browser software, a user canuse a computer to log on to cloud-based services (e.g., by theweb-browser software resident on the computer communicating withcloud-based server device 1110) to access a cloud-based application1120. After logging-on to the cloud-based application 1120, the user maycreate, edit, save and delete files on cloud-based server device 1110,and may establish (set up) or change/edit various options, such as userpreferences and/or system settings, and/or may receive or downloadsoftware (e.g., operating system or other software) or software updates,various data files or media files, user preferences and/or systemsettings, and other information previously stored on the cloud-basedserver device 1110, via the cloud-based application 1120 running on thecloud-based server device 1110.

It is contemplated that server device 1110 operating cloud-basedapplication 1120 may monitor a location of mobile device 500 to improvework flow management. Personnel may be directed and prioritized basedupon system requirements and current locations of individuals. Mobiledevice 500 may implement Real Time Location Services (RTLS) tosimultaneously associate coordinates of the mobile device 500 withreceipt of operating information from apparatuses 200A, 200B. RTLS maybe implemented through the use of any available “standards-based”location services platform including, but not limited to: GPS, WirelessLAN, Cellular Services, Radio Frequency Identification, and InfraredSignal. It is contemplated that other additional location identificationmechanisms may also be employed, particularly for use within premises.Location awareness and maintenance of data on cloud-based server device1110 may monitor and report on energy costs at various locations. A costper energy unit (kWh) may also be maintained to derive customer billinginformation.

It is contemplated that system 1100 may be configured to operate in avariety of modes to support management of a plurality of apparatuses200A, 200B that retrieve data from a power distribution unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example,particular products may be assigned and location may be maintained. Theapp executable on the mobile device 500 may provide directions for setupof a device, its location, and its presence such as specification, powersupply, location, application, customer details. The app executable onthe mobile device 500 may keep track of every unit and the timeframe inwhich the unit needs to be re-scanned/updated. The app may furtherremind users of power distribution units that need updating and thelocation of the unit(s) that have not been updated. It is furthercontemplated that the application may use the operating information toobtain phase load utilization and cooling load per power distributionunit, rack, row, hall, room, and the like. Through storage of thesettings and configuration details of a power distribution unit,replacement and re-configuration may be improved during repair,maintenance, refurbishment, or replacement

It is contemplated that method and apparatus to retrieve data from apower distribution unit as shown and described with respect to FIGS.1-11 may provide a number of advantages to users. The advantages mayinclude presentation of much more information than may be made availablelocally using a simple display. The end user presentation, depicted inFIGS. 7 and 8, may be presented better without a requirement of a largelocal display which is more expensive and uses significantly moresurface space on the power distribution unit. Also, the mobile device500 may be paired with the apparatus 200 without any complexrequirements; no Bluetooth or Ethernet connectivity may be required.

It is contemplated that method and apparatus to retrieve data from apower distribution unit as shown and described with respect to FIGS.1-11 may also provide a number of advantages to manufacturers of powerdistribution units. These advantages may include avoiding a need todevelop a larger, more feature rich, display located on the unit. As allinformation associated with a power distribution unit may be transmitted(such as IP address, serial number, and all power and/or coolinginformation), the onward development potential may be very high.Additionally, apparatus 200 may be configured to provide air gappingwhich may refer to an industry term of providing a network air-gap.Additionally, an air-gap may provide a new margin of safety andconvenience for security reasons. A network air-gap may allow physicalisolation between products or networks. True physical isolation may berequired to uphold the air-gap and the use of visible lightcommunication in half-duplex and full-duplex configuration allows datato cross from one network to another via a controlled air-gap. Thevisible light communication supported by apparatus 200 which improvessecurity by effectively isolating equipment from the outside worldbeyond firewalls, encryption systems, and the like. Further, while oneembodiment of a power distribution unit is shown in an exemplary fashionin FIG. 5, it is contemplated that power distribution unit may refer tovarious types of power devices and thermal devices.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not necessarily restrictive of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure.Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

While the foregoing written description of the disclosure enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The disclosureshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the methods, operations, and/or functionalitydisclosed may be implemented as sets of instructions or softwarereadable by a device. Further, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps in the methods, operations, and/or functionalitydisclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon designpreferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy ofsteps in the methods, operations, and/or functionality can be rearrangedwhile remaining within the disclosed subject matter.

It is believed that embodiments of the present disclosure and many ofits attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoingdescription, and it will be apparent that various changes can be made inthe form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereofwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure or withoutsacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein beforedescribed being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for retrieving data from a powerdistribution unit, comprising: the power distribution unit, the powerdistribution unit including a housing, the power distribution unitfurther comprising a tracking circuitry, the tracking circuitryincluding a sensor to measure operating information; and a monitoringdevice, the monitoring device configured to be contained within thehousing of the power distribution unit, the monitoring device includinga processor, a memory and a display, wherein the monitoring device isconfigured to be coupled with the tracking circuitry of the powerdistribution unit to obtain the operating information for the powerdistribution unit and convert the operating information into a stream ofcharacter sets, wherein each character set includes a plurality ofcharacters in a form of hexadecimal digits, the stream of character setsis presented on the display as individual character sets and notreadable to a human eye, the operating information including deviceidentification information, time stamp information, voltage, current,and power available at various circuits of the power distribution unit,wherein a camera device of a mobile device is configured to read thestream of character sets on the display, wherein the mobile device isconfigured to verify a cyclic redundancy check data and convert thestream of character sets on the display on the monitoring device intohuman readable information presented on a display of the mobile device,the human readable information is only presented when the cyclicredundancy check data has been verified.
 2. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the camera device of the mobile device is configured toread the stream of character sets on the display.
 3. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile device is configured to executean application, the application includes an interface, the interfaceincluding a plurality of icons and a camera display portion.
 4. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the camera display portionincludes a guide for capturing the character sets of the display of theapparatus.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guideincludes at least one or more lines, wherein the at least one or morelines are configured to align with the character sets to improveaccuracy of a scan.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein theplurality of icons includes at least one of a scan icon, a databaseicon, a capture icon, a scan again icon, a update database icon, a sendvia email icon, or a cancel icon.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein the operating information presented on the display of themobile device is transferred to a remote server device via a cloud-basednetwork.
 8. An apparatus for retrieving data from a power distributionunit, comprising: a monitoring device, the monitoring device configuredto be contained within the power distribution unit, the monitoringdevice including a processor, a memory and a display, wherein themonitoring device is configured to be coupled with tracking circuitry ofthe power distribution unit to obtain the operating information for thepower distribution unit and convert the operating information into astream of character sets, wherein each character set includes aplurality of characters in a form of hexadecimal digits, the stream ofcharacter sets is presented on the display as individual character setsand not readable to a human eye, the operating information includingdevice identification information, time stamp information, voltage,current, and power available at various circuits of the powerdistribution unit, wherein a camera device of a mobile device isconfigured to read the stream of character sets on the display, whereinthe mobile device is configured to verify a cyclic redundancy check dataand convert the stream of character sets on the display on themonitoring device into human readable information presented on a displayof the mobile device, the human readable information is only presentedwhen the cyclic redundancy check data has been verified.
 9. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device furtherincludes at least one interface button configured to control at leastone operation of the monitoring device.
 10. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the operating information presented on a display of amobile device is transferred to a remote server device via a cloud-basednetwork.
 11. A method, executable by a monitoring device coupled to atracking circuitry of a power distribution unit, for retrieving datafrom the power distribution unit, comprising: receiving data from thetracking circuitry of the power distribution unit, the trackingcircuitry including a sensor to measure data, the data includingoperating information of the power distribution unit, the operatinginformation including device identification information, time stampinformation, voltage, current, and power available at various circuitsof the power distribution unit; converting the data from the trackingcircuitry into a stream of character sets, wherein each character setincludes a plurality of characters in a form of hexadecimal digits; andpresenting the stream of character sets on a display of the monitoringdevice, wherein the stream of character sets is presented as individualcharacter sets on the display of the monitoring device and not readableto a human eye, wherein a camera device of a mobile device is configuredto read the stream of character sets on the display, wherein the mobiledevice is configured to verify a cyclic redundancy check data andconvert the stream of character sets on the display on the monitoringdevice into human readable information presented on a display of themobile device, the human readable information is only presented when thecyclic redundancy check data has been verified.
 12. The method asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the operating information presented on adisplay of a mobile device is transferred to a remote server device viaa cloud-based network.